Google Cancels Monday Android Event on Hurricane Sandy Concern

Google has cancelled an Android event in New York on the same day Microsoft is officially launching Windows Phone 8 – its Android rival. Pictured is the original event invite. Image: Google

It looks like Microsoft will have Monday to itself after all. Google has cancelled its Monday Android event in New York City, originally set to take place just three hours before Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 event that same day in San Francisco.

Google announced the cancellation Saturday morning in an e-mail to invitees, writing: “We are canceling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy. We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more. Stay safe and dry, The Android Team.”

While Microsoft will no doubt be happy to have the news day to itself, Android devotees will have to wait longer to see Google’s answer to Windows Phone 8, the iPhone 5, and a growing sea of tablet rivals (including a fourth-gen iPad, the iPad Mini, and Microsoft’s Surface). Google was set to unveil its latest flagship Android handset the Nexus 4, built by LG; a new 10-inch flagship tablet the Nexus 10, built by Samsung; and possibly an update to its Android operating system pushing it from 4.1 Jelly Bean to 4.2, which is believed to be called Key Lime Pie.

Microsoft, meanwhile, will once again show off Windows Phone 8 to the world and detail new devices running its smartphone software from HTC, Nokia, and Samsung. While Android is the most widely used operating system in the world, Windows Phone has thus far struggled for relevancy with consumers and handset makers.